"Kid, don't let that old bastard trick you," Bone Douluo warned. "His martial soul has absorbed so many soul rings that it weighs nearly ten thousand jin. How are you going to fight him?"
"Shut up, you old bag of bones!" Sword Douluo snapped. "You think I don't know that? I won't rely on brute strength or clash directly with Chen Feng using the martial soul's weight advantage."
He had already considered this. Without confrontation between martial souls, even the superior quality of Sword Douluo's Seven Kill Sword wouldn't offer a physical advantage. On the other hand, Chen Feng could use soul power freely to compensate. All in all, it was the fairest arrangement.
Chen Feng also agreed without hesitation.
Sword Douluo took a deep breath, and the blade of his Seven Kill Sword shimmered with blue light. Even without using soul power, the intense killing intent it radiated was palpable.
"Seven Kill Sword Technique!"
With a fluid motion, Sword Douluo drew his blade through the air, carving the word "Kill" in glowing strokes across the void. This wasn't powered by soul energy—it was pure technique, a self-created soul skill.
On the other side, Chen Feng also inhaled sharply. A similar "Kill" character appeared before him, and with a quick movement, he layered his "Swift" skill behind it, pushing his "Kill" character into direct collision with Sword Douluo's.
Clang!
When the two characters collided, a thunderous metallic crash rang out, as if two enormous bells had slammed into each other.
Although Chen Feng was only at the Soul Elder level, the quality of his soul rings was extraordinary. Empowered by soul power, his "Kill" character felt like a freshly forged divine weapon capable of piercing through armor. This effect came from his second soul ring—an 800-year pangolin, which granted his Seven Kill Sword a penetrating trait.
By contrast, Sword Douluo's "Kill" character was vast, weighty, and majestic—like a falling meteor, irresistible and crushing.
The two characters clashed, locking in a stalemate for several moments.
"What?!"
Sword Douluo's expression twisted in shock.
He knew better than anyone how powerful his "Kill" technique was. Even at only thirty percent of his full strength and without soul power, it was still a force no ordinary Soul King would dare withstand. And yet, Chen Feng withstood it.
Even more astonishing was what followed. Chen Feng's "Kill" began to break through, its sharpness cleaving into Sword Douluo's word, which quickly unraveled and dissipated. Chen Feng's version lingered another two seconds before it too vanished.
"How did he do that...?" Sword Douluo was dumbfounded.
Ning Fengzhi was also stunned.
Someone had beaten Sword Douluo in sword technique? Was he seeing things?
Bone Douluo, on the other hand, clapped gleefully.
As long as Sword Douluo was the one getting humbled, he was happy.
Chen Feng calmly sheathed his sword. With the outcome already clear, he knew it was time to be magnanimous. He'd made his point—no need to rub salt in the wound.
"It was just luck," Chen Feng said modestly. "Sword Grandpa's 'Kill' technique was only inscribed with swordsmanship, not supported by soul power. Mine, however, was a complete technique layered with energy, which is why it ultimately won out."
He was deliberately giving Sword Douluo a way to save face.
Sword Douluo stepped forward and patted Chen Feng's shoulder.
"No need to make excuses for me. A loss is a loss. I'm not so fragile that I can't admit it."
Ning Fengzhi also smiled and nodded.
"The younger generation truly surpasses the old. Chen Feng, I'll honor our agreement. From this moment on, you are an Honorary Elder of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. On behalf of the sect, I welcome you!"
"Sect Master."
Chen Feng bowed slightly, showing respect.
Ning Fengzhi looked him over approvingly, clearly pleased.
Chen Feng stood about 1.75 meters tall—typical for soul masters, who matured faster than ordinary people. Apart from a slightly youthful face, he looked nearly like an adult. Dressed in plain black, with a tall and well-proportioned figure, he gave off a natural air of calm confidence, accompanied by a cold, solitary demeanor—something often seen in wielders of the Seven Kill Sword. Sword Douluo himself was similar.
"By the way, Chen Feng," Ning Fengzhi said, noticing the tear in Chen Feng's shirt. "Outside the city earlier, you used a soul bone skill, didn't you?"
He hadn't had a chance to change clothes after deploying the Eight Spider Lances earlier.
Chen Feng nodded.
"Yes, it was a soul bone skill. An external spirit bone."
He didn't hide it. After all, with Sword Douluo, his clan elder, he didn't have to worry about safety.
"An external spirit bone?" Ning Fengzhi's eyes widened, and he exchanged a knowing look with Sword Douluo.
"Are you saying it's one of those legendary external spirit bones that grow stronger alongside the soul master?" Ning Fengzhi asked in astonishment. "I've only heard of them in stories—never seen one before."
Chen Feng smiled faintly and didn't deny it.
Sword Douluo nodded.
"I was wondering why you'd bother absorbing the spirit bone from a Man-Faced Demon Spider. It didn't seem compatible with the Seven Kill Sword. But if it's an external spirit bone—it all makes sense."
External bones were unique, outside the six standard bone slots, and didn't affect the quality of one's martial soul. On the contrary, they enhanced it and could even evolve with time. Truly a rare and precious gift.
Bone Douluo grinned.
"Sword freak's Seven Kill Sword is supposedly passed down in a single line. Who knew his extended clan would produce such a monstrous genius? Impressive!"
Sword Douluo gave him a side glance.
"If you're so impressed, why don't you go find one in your clan?"
Bone Douluo fell silent. Where would he even start? Even when he was young, he couldn't compare to this level. Never mind the external spirit bone—just Chen Feng's thousand-year second ring was shocking enough.
And that wasn't all. Having a good soul ring configuration was one thing, but to train sword techniques to such a high level? Even defeating Sword Douluo, albeit not in a fully fair match? That was monstrous.
Bone Douluo smacked his lips.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect struck gold this time. Compared to that, what's a little honorary elder title?
Ning Fengzhi laughed.
"Alright, since Chen Feng has joined the sect, we'll have plenty of time to get to know one another. For now, let's assign our new elder a place to stay."
Sword Douluo waved his hand.
"What's there to arrange? Let him stay with me and that old bonehead."
Bone Douluo also nodded.
"A talent like this is more than worthy of living with us."
And just like that, Chen Feng officially settled into the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
That very day, the sect buzzed with gossip.
"Did you hear? The sect just welcomed a new elder—he's only in his teens!"
"I heard he's a distant relative of Sword Douluo and also has the Seven Kill Sword as his martial soul!"
"Rumor has it—he dueled Sword Douluo in sword technique and won!"
"No way! What's the new elder's name?"
"Chen Feng!"
In no time, Chen Feng's name echoed throughout the entire sect. Everyone knew it.